Open boat

[Bunchats]

Hi, we want to take a 15 foot open boat, primary power sail, secondary oar, if necessary, engine, onto the Thames and travel around.

There is no accommodation or cooking facility.

Has anyone done this and can tell what the best way forward is.

Tales of Boat Safety, Licences, etc, etc abound but none specific go ahead variety.

Also, where are there places to leave a trailer and vehicle while cruising for a week or so.

Looking forward to some information and tips - thanks.

 

[byron]

Licensing and a dreaded BSS certificate should be almost a rubber stamp job for a vessel such as you describe.

As for leaving his trailer. He will need make arrangements with a land owner or boat yard. It would be markedly unwise to just leave it at a public slipway.

 

[nickcred]

BSS

Hi Bunchats

See below from the BSS Guide and her is a link to the registration requirements
http://www.ybw.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=2535271


A BSS examination is not required in respect of any privatelyowned,
open vessel (i.e. a vessel in which all the accommodation
is completely open to the elements) if it has no domestic cooking,
heating, refrigerating or lighting appliances installed and it is
propelled solely by an outboard engine. Please note, such boats
remain subject to all appropriate navigation authorities' legal
requirements.
n Some navigation authorities may allow vessels a short-term or
visitor status licence or registration without the need to undergo a
BSS examination on the basis that the owner makes a declaration
that his or her vessel meets the navigation authorities' legal
requirements outlined in this Guide and is willing to allow spot
checks by navigation authority officers or authorised agents for the
authority. Such boats remain subject to all appropriate navigation
authorities' legal requirements.

 

[mlines]

If you are dropping it in for only a short cruise you will be able to purchase a visitors licence, you do this from the first lock you arrive at.

You do not need a BSS certificate for a visitor licence, you just sign the box to say your boat is river worthy.

You only need a BSS certificate number when applying for the full annual licence, for the shorter duration visitors licences you self-certify.

Martin

 

[Bunchats]

River boating

Thanks to all for the replies and it looks simple enough now.

Speaking to officialdom has only brought grimaces, teeth sucking and head shaking, expensive sounding type responses, so thanks again, I now have a solid base to work/argue from.

Last thing, any advice/recommendations and how much is a weekly/monthly/whatever licence please.

Thanks.

Nickcred, the link brings me back to this post not to the info! New one please!

 

[rr_123]

Last thing, any advice/recommendations and how much is a weekly/monthly/whatever licence please.

a two week temporary registration will cost you £20

Last thing, any advice/recommendations

Henley will be very crowded the first week of July, Cliveden reach is beautiful, The Swan at Staines does a good pint of Youngs Ordinary, if you go to Henley, venture inland to the Bird in Hand

 

[boatone]

Speaking to officialdom has only brought grimaces, teeth sucking and head shaking, expensive sounding type responses,

Care to be more specific about the difficulties you have encountered?

Nothing difficult about what you wish to do and there is much information available on the www.visitthames.co.uk website not to mention a phone call to the registrations department at EA Reading.

 

[nickcred]

Thanks to all for the replies and it looks simple enough now.


Nickcred, the link brings me back to this post not to the info! New one please!

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/boating/31609.aspx

lol here we go

 

[the_wanderer]

Slipway and parking.

All your other questions seem to be answered. so here is an answer about the slipway.

Try the Trout Inn at Lechlade. £5 for the slipway and free safe parking. Its a bit of a steep slipway but for small boats quite usable. A registration can be purcased at St John's Lock, Lechlade. The Trout does good food and medium priced. If you wanted you could take a one way trip, stop at Pangbourne, go back by train to Swindon, get a bus to Lechlade and pick up the car and trailer.

Owzat?! Have fun.

Regards.


Alan.

 

[teddington_lock]

Speaking to officialdom has only brought grimaces, teeth sucking and head shaking, expensive sounding type responses ....

Which officials would these be ?

It's all very simple.

 

[Cliveshep]

3 men in a boat?

In the 3-man in a boat programme they camped on the bank or in the punt.

If you have a sail-boat couldn't you use the boom to rig a tent and do the same?

Lechlade is a good idea from the point of view that it's closest to Cornwall etc but the river is very twisty and tree-lined so sailing might well be interesting.

You might do better if sailing to start off lower down where the river doesn't twist or turn so much, is wider, and has more space between the trees for winds to blow. Perhaps near Oxford and head downstream.